Process and means for block-based modeling

ABSTRACT

A modeling system and process for for computer-aided, block-based modeling involving preparation of a first block diagram ( 1 ) in a first model plane ( 2 ) that relates to a first abstraction stage, in which at least one block ( 3 ) is able to be placed in the first model plane ( 2 ) and several blocks are connectable to one another by horizontal data transfer devices for horizontally exchanging data. Further more at least one other block diagram ( 6 ) can be arranged on at least one other model plane ( 5 ) which is assigned to the first abstraction stage and which is separated from the first model plane ( 2 ), so that the first block diagram ( 1 ) of the first model plane ( 2 ) and the other block diagram ( 6 ) of the other model plane ( 5 ) form an overall block diagram ( 7 ) and that by corresponding vertical data transfer devices ( 8, 9 ) which can be arranged on a selection of at least two model planes from the first model plane ( 2 ) and the other model planes ( 5 ), a vertical exchange of data between at least two selected model planes can be produced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a process for computer-aided, block-basedmodeling, to prepare a first block diagram in a first model plane—of afirst abstraction stage—there being at least one block, and forhorizontal exchange of data between several blocks, the blocks beingable to be connected to one another by horizontal data transfer means.Moreover, the invention also relates to a modeling means for preparing afirst block diagram in a first model plane—of a first abstractionstage—and there can be at least one block in the first model plane, andfor horizontal exchange of data, several blocks being connectable to oneanother by horizontal data transfer means.

2. Description of Related Art

Computer-aided processes and modeling means for block-based modeling,for the purposes of this invention, in the area of technical researchand development, have the objective of mathematically mapping andrepresenting any type of process and simulating it by using numericalmethods. The probably most common means for executing this modeling is ablock diagram representation known mainly from system theory, in whichthe blocks used acquire a certain mathematical functionality—from simplealgebraic operations to complex dynamic timing—and processes of almostany complexity can be modeled by a block diagram by interconnection ofdifferent blocks in terms of signals.

This process is conventionally carried out on computer-aided modelingmeans, the mathematical modeling of a technical-physical process itselfoften being only the first step of a plurality of development steps, ascan be found, for example, in the area of the development and use ofelectronic control systems or electronic control units.

It is helpful to an understanding of the invention to briefly outlinethe typical working process in handling of computer-aided modelingprocesses and the modeling means directed at them. In this respect,reference is made, by way of example, to the aforementioned use ofelectronic control units, which use is especially well suited because itshows the diverse requirements for the modeling processes underconsideration here (keyword “V-cycle”); of course, the modelingprocesses are not limited to this application which is used only as anexample.

In practice, preparation of a mathematical model of any technicalprocess is not an end in itself which is used purely to acquireknowledge, rather the acquired process should generally be subjected toplanned control, control being defined here not only as what is definedin a system theoretical sense narrowly as control, but any type ofplanned influence, for example, also by feedback control.

Within the framework of so-called function development, therefore, theblock diagram which describes the process to be influenced is used and acontrol modeled in the form of a block diagram is added to it so thatthe effect of control on the process within the framework of numericalsimulation—without a physical connection to the real process—can besafely observed and the control can be adapted. This model or blockdiagram is, first of all, abstract, i.e., without any reference to apossible hardware implementation and without reference to possiblelinkage of the control to a real process; it is called a function modelbelow.

To test the control concept which has been tried with the function modelin a real process, by so-called rapid control prototyping, the blockdiagram, or parts of it, is translated by the modeling environmentautomatically into a control program which can run on the targethardware—conventionally an electronic control unit. This electroniccontrol unit is integrated via its outside world interfaces into thereal physical process, and accepts the states of the process to beinfluenced which are of interest via its outside world interfaces andoutputs the corresponding influence quantities—manipulatedvariables—over these interfaces to the process.

At this point, it is immediately obvious that, when the control programis produced, the special target hardware together with its outside worldinterfaces must always be considered in order to obtain a controlprogram which can run on this target hardware. For this reason, thetarget hardware and its outside world interfaces are already consideredin the modeling by the properties of the electronic control unit beingrepresented by hardware blocks and integrated into the existing abstractfunction model. The overall block diagram which has been prepared inthis way accordingly comprises not only the function model, but also ahardware model or hardware block diagram which is associated with thefunction model.

Since the hardware blocks which describe the hardware represent entirelydifferent hardware properties, they may describe entire I/O devices orcomponents of them (for example, channels of digital/analog converters,digital I/O channels) as well as complex, parameterizable modules (forexample, data busses and definition of the messages transmitted by themand their timing behavior, generation/analysis of signal characteristicsby digital signal processors), the properties of which can be set in theblock diagram, for example, by dialog windows or similar means.

The described computer-aided modeling processes or modeling means areknown from the prior art. The modeling means MATLAB and Simulink(TheMathWorks: “MATLAB, The Language of Technical Computing”, version7.0.4, March 2005, or TheMathWorks: “Simulink, Simulation andModel-Based Design”, version 6.2, March 2005) allows execution of ablock-based modeling process which allows the arrangement of blockswhich form a block diagram in a first and sole model plane, this firstand sole model plane being assigned to a first highest abstractionstage. This means that the complete model is present as an overall blockdiagram in a first and sole model plane and is not, for example,distributed among different model planes of the same first abstractionstage.

Such an overall block diagram known from the prior art can have othermodel planes, but these other model planes belong to another, lowerabstraction stage, i.e., they constitute a part of the overall blockdiagram which is at the higher abstraction stage and which is located onthe first model plane in a higher degree of detail and on a model planeof a lower abstraction stage than the first abstraction stage.Therefore, the model planes of a lower abstraction stage, in fact, donot deliver any new contribution to the overall block diagram, butinstead represent a component which already exists in the block diagramof the first model plane of the first and highest abstraction stage,only in another, more detailed form.

In the prior art, this is accomplished, for example, by sub-blockdiagram blocks which are located, for example, in the first and solemodel plane of the first abstraction stage; such a block couldrepresent, for example, a PID controller. This sub-block diagram blockrepresents nothing more than a block diagram in another model planewhich is assigned in any case to a lower abstraction stage. Such asub-block diagram block which is located in the first model plane of thefirst abstraction stage would have, for example, only one block inputand one block output, but it would not yield any further informationabout its internal implementation.

The internal structure of the sub-block diagram block is only disclosedby another block diagram in another model plane of a lower abstractionstage which is represented by the sub-block diagram block in the firstmodel plane of the first abstraction stage. In this further model planeof a lower abstraction stage, for example, it could be shown ormathematically modeled by another block diagram that the PID controlleris implemented by amplification, integration and differentiation of aninput signal, the cumulative value of these three signal transforms thenbeing output.

Moreover, the possibility of using sub-block diagram blocks, in turn, insub-block diagram model planes is known, and they in turn representsub-block diagram model planes of a still lower abstraction stage orsub-block diagrams in these sub-block diagram model planes.

The described procedure in the known computer-aided and block-basedmodeling with respect to support of efficient working sequences,transparency, ability to structure and adapt models has variousdisadvantages. Because in the known processes and in the known modelingmeans for block-based modeling the overall block diagram is modeledcompletely in a first model plane of a first abstraction stage,meaningful functional organization and structuring of the block diagramare possible only to a limited degree; all components of the blockdiagram always appear with equal rights. For this reason, treatmentbased on division of labor and organization of the block diagram are notpossible in an optimum manner.

Grouping of coherent model parts is possible by the organization elementof the sub-block diagram blocks and the sub-block diagram model planesassociated with them, but there is the danger of increasing confusionwithin the overall block diagram, since the usage of nested sub-blockdiagram blocks creates a labyrinthine interleaving of the overall blockdiagram. Mainly with consideration of the fact that many of the blocksused in practice can be configured and must also be configured formeaningful use of the block diagram in simulation and code generation,and with further consideration of the fact that this configuration isundertaken directly over the block (for example, by a dialog windowbeing opened upon activation—“double click”—of the block for input ofparameters or by the block's having diverse block inputs via whichparameterization can be undertaken by external interconnection to otherblocks), it is immediately apparent that reconfiguration of blockproperties for large models is a time-consuming and error-prone task.This applies more, the further it is considered that the models of moredemanding processes or systems can easily comprise several hundredthousand blocks and more.

A similar problem arises in a case which can be encountered in practicein which the model or the block diagram must be adapted to partially orcompletely altered target hardware. In this case, in the process knownfrom the prior art or using the known modeling means, the existinghardware-describing blocks must be exchanged and replaced by new blockswhich described the new target hardware (for example, TheMathWorks: “xPCTarget, For Use With Real-Time Workshop”, User's Guide, version II,March 2005).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of this invention is thus to embody and develop amodeling means for computer-aided preparation of a block diagram and aprocess aimed thereat such that the aforementioned disadvantages are atleast partially avoided.

The modeling means of the invention in which the aforementioned objectis achieved is essentially characterized, first of all, in that at leastone other block diagram can be arranged on at least one other modelplane which is assigned to the first abstraction stage and which isseparated from the first model plane, so that the first block diagram ofthe first model plane and the other block diagram of the other modelplane form an overall block diagram, and that by means of correspondingvertical data transfer means which can be arranged on a selection of atleast two model planes from the first model plane and the other modelplanes, a vertical exchange of data between at least two selected modelplanes can be produced.

Because the modeling means in accordance with the invention offers thepossibility of the entire model or block diagram extending not only tothe first model plane of a first abstraction stage, but also to othermodel planes which belong exactly to the same first abstraction stage,there is another possibility for structuring the block diagram such thattreatment of the model or block diagram based on division of labor andstructured organization of the block diagram are advantageouslypossible.

The first model plane and the other model planes which all belong to thesame first abstraction stage form the overall block diagram. The partsof the overall block diagram distributed among these planes is thereforenot simply a representation of certain model components on anotherabstraction stage, but they are complementary model components withequal rights, which are essential for the overall block diagram.

The modeling means makes it possible to arrange blocks in each of thefirst and other model planes, data exchange between the blocks in onemodel plane being produced by horizontal data transfer means. In theknown block diagram, such a horizontal data transfer means consistsconventionally of data lines or signal lines, such a signal lineconnecting the output of one block to the input of another block.However, a horizontal data transfer means is in no way limited to suchan embodiment, but rather constructions are also conceivable which arebased, for example, on the corresponding transmitting and receivingstations which are not connected by a line.

Furthermore, the modeling means as according to the invention providesvertical data transfer means with which data can be exchanged between atleast two model planes, the model planes belonging to the same firstabstraction stage. To do this, the corresponding vertical data transfermeans are located on the model planes which represent a choice from thefirst model plane and the other model planes.

The vertical data transfer means are characterized in that the data canbe sent from vertical data transfer means acting as data sources and canbe received by the corresponding vertical data transfer means which areacting as data sinks and are kept in readiness or prepared here forfurther processing.

The terms “horizontal” and “vertical” data transfer means have nothingto do with the actual geometrical direction of the data exchangeeffected by them. The terms simply support the simplifying idea thatdata exchange in one model plane, if this model plane is alignedconceptually horizontally, likewise also occurs in this plane, forexample, as a result of the signal lines which run in the plane. Ofcourse, the data exchange which is effected by the horizontal datatransfer means is, however, not limited to data exchange which ishorizontal in a geometrical sense: “horizontal” describes only dataexchange in whatever plane.

In an analogous manner, data exchange effected by vertical data transfermeans is between different planes which belong to the same abstractionstage. The concept of vertical data exchange simply supports the easilygrasped idea that the different model planes of this first abstractionstage are located on top of one another and the vertical data transfermeans located on these planes thus cause a vertical data exchange. Ofcourse, it also applies here that vertical data exchange is not limitedto the restrictive geometrical idea of a vertical direction, but simplydescribes the data exchange between different model planes of the sameabstraction stage, regardless of how these model planes are in factarranged relative to one another in a representation.

When it is said that the vertical data transfer means act as a data sinkor as a data source and the vertical data transfer means acting as thedata source send data which can be received by the vertical datatransfer means acting as a data sink, it is a description which isoriented to the representation of the model plane and which illustratesthe function of data exchange in fact accomplished.

For one skilled in the art, it is apparent that, in the physical sense,nothing needs to be sent and received. The function of data exchangebetween different model planes can be accomplished using softwareengineering in different ways. For example, the corresponding verticaldata transfer means can be accomplished by a storage location with acertain storage address, “sending” of data being implemented by writingto the storage location and “receiving” of data being implemented byreading out the storage location determined by the storage address. Thecorresponding vertical data transfer means can, therefore, coincide inone storage location in the software engineering implementation.Therefore, this invention is not limited to a certain softwareengineering implementation, in particular, the implementation isdependent essentially on the development environments used, with whichthe process is carried out or the modeling means is implemented.

There are a host of possibilities for embodying and developing theteachings of the invention. The following remarks relate to specialembodiments of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of the modeling means of the invention, themodeling means finds the vertical data transfer means which correspondto one another and which are located on different model planes of thesame abstraction stage by the concurrent geometrical position andassigns them to one another. The geometrical assignment is supportedespecially by the first model plane and the other model planes beingessentially congruent, and thus, geometrical assignment is possible inan especially simple manner.

In addition or alternatively, the modeling means of the invention alsopreferably offer assignment of the vertical data transfer means whichcorrespond to one another by concurrent identifications. This meansthat, for example, vertical data transfer means which correspond to oneanother and which are located on different model planes are providedwith concurrent identifications, for example, symbolic names, manually,automatically or supported partially automated by the modeling means.

In another preferred embodiment of the computed-aided modeling means,the vertical data transfer means are made as vertical data transferblocks. Consequently, they are, like other blocks, also integrated viahorizontal data transfer means into the data flow of the block diagramslocated on the different model planes.

The vertical data transfer means, which act as data sinks, are madeusable by the computed-aided modeling means preferably in two differentways which do not exclude one another. The vertical data transfer meanswhich are provided by the modeling means as data sinks are preferablymade such that the data received by them can be picked up via aninterface and thus are available on the model plane for furtherprocessing, in which the vertical data transfer means acting as a datasink is located. In this case, the vertical data transfer means actingas a data sink works equally as a transmission station for the receivedsignal. Viewed from the model plane in which the vertical data transfermeans acting as a data sink is located, it therefore acts at the sametime as a source for the data received by it.

Alternatively or in combination, in one preferred embodiment, it isprovided that the modeling means provides for a data transfer meanswhich acts as a data sink such that it can be parameterized with thedata received from it. This means simply that the vertical data transfermeans acting as a data sink uses the received data as such to establishinternal properties. Likewise, there is no contradiction herein when thevertical data transfer means acting as a data sink also makes availablethe received data in addition via an interface, for example, at oneoutput, for further processing. Examples of parameterizable propertiesare the initial value of an integrator, initial and end values of anyI/O devices, bit resolution of D/A converters and countless otherproperties as are known from abstract and hardware-dependent blocks fromblock libraries.

In another preferred embodiment of the modeling means, for modeling ofdifferent operating modes of the model, several model planes are used,these model planes also being assigned to a first, common abstractionstage. This in turn entails the advantage that, with a consistentdivision of all model parts into the respective operating modes, allproperties and model parts of an operating mode are combined in certainmodel planes and can be coherently influenced there.

In this connection, one preferred embodiment of the modeling means underdiscussion here comprises the modeling means being able to support atleast one of the operating modes, that is initialization, run time andtermination, and accordingly, the corresponding parts of the overallblock diagram can be modeled separately in an initialization modelplane, a run time model plane and/or a termination model plane. It goeswithout saying that, depending on the requirements, also more than oneof these planes can be made available by the modeling means so thatthere are several simultaneously effective operating mode-model planesof the same type.

In consistent, more extensive support of modeling of several operatingmodes in several operating mode-model planes, a preferred modeling meansmakes available such blocks which comprise operating mode-partial blockswhich correspond to the operating modes and which can be assigned to themodel planes of the supported operating modes. Preferably, the operatingmode-partial blocks can be automatically assigned by the modeling meansto the supported operating mode-model planes. In doing so, the operatingmode-partial blocks can preferably also be made as vertical datatransfer means. With these operating mode-partial blocks especially anoperating mode-partial block which, acting as a data sink, can beparameterized by corresponding operating mode-partial blocks acting as adata source.

Furthermore, an especially preferred embodiment of the modeling means ofthe invention enables integrated representation of any choice of modelplanes from the first model plane and the other model planes.Especially, when the first and the other model planes are essentiallycongruent, and the corresponding vertical data transfer means have beenarranged at essentially the same geometrical positions of the differentmodel planes, an integrated representation of the overall block diagramis obtained by placing the model planes on top of one another—so tospeak by superposing the block diagrams of the selected model planes.

Furthermore, one preferred embodiment of the modeling means of theinvention allows any noncontradictory choice of model planes from thefirst model plane and the other model planes to be simulated with themodeling means and/or program code which can be executed on certaintarget hardware to be produced from this choice.

The invention is not aimed only at a computer-aided modeling means forpreparation of a block diagram, but also at the process which isindependent of the means for computer-aided, block-based modeling, thus,as it is also carried out by the modeling means in accordance with theinvention.

In particular, there are now various possibilities for embodying anddeveloping the modeling means according to the invention and the processof the invention for computer-aided, block-based modeling. In thisrespect reference is made to the description of preferred embodiments inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a model or block diagram which has been prepared with aknown modeling means and a known process for computer-aided, block-basedmodeling,

FIG. 2 shows a model or overall block diagram which has been preparedwith a preferred embodiment of the modeling means and process in theaccordance with the invention,

FIG. 3 shows another model or overall block diagram which has beenprepared with a preferred embodiment of the modeling means and processof the invention,

FIG. 4 shows another model or overall block diagram which has beenprepared with a preferred embodiment of the modeling means and processas claimed according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows another model or overall block diagram which has beenprepared with a preferred embodiment of the modeling means and processin accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 6 shows a last example of a model or overall block diagram whichhas been prepared with a preferred embodiment of the modeling means andprocess of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first block diagram 1 which has been prepared with amodeling means and process known from the prior art. The first blockdiagram 1 is located in a first model plane 2. As is conventional inblock diagrams, the first block diagram 1 is comprised of blocks 3 whichare connected by horizontal data transfer means 4 for purposes of dataexchange. All important components of the model are contained in thefirst block diagram 1.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a block diagram which has beenprepared with the modeling means and process in accordance with theinvention, and which is located in the first model plane 2 with thefirst block diagram 1 and in another model plane 5 with another blockdiagram 6.

In this connection, it is important that the first model plane 2 and theother model plane 5 belong to the same first abstraction stage, i.e.,that it is not the first model plane 2 which solely contains an overallblock diagram 7, but that the overall block diagram 7 is composed of thefirst block diagram 1 of the first model plane 2 and another blockdiagram 6 of the other model plane 5; the first block diagram 1 and theother block diagram 6 are consequently essential components of theoverall block diagram 7.

The overall block diagram 7 can be advantageously structured and treatedbased on a division of labor by the possibility of distributing theoverall block diagram 7 among several model planes 2, 5 of the sameabstraction stage, which possibility is made available by the modelingmeans.

In order to be able to exchange data between the first model plane 2 andthe second model plane 5, there are corresponding vertical data transfermeans 8, 9, extending between the two model planes 2, 5. Thecorresponding vertical data transfer means 8, 9, act mutually as a datasource and data sink. The data sent by the vertical data transfer means8 a, 8 b, which acts as the data source, are received by the verticaldata transfer means 9 a, 9 b, which act as the corresponding data sinks,and which are kept in readiness and made available for furtherprocessing.

In FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the corresponding vertical data transfer means8, 9 are assigned to one another based on concurrent geometricalpositions in the model planes 2, 5. In the illustrated embodiments, thisassignment takes place automatically by the modeling means. Therefore,in the illustrated embodiments, this geometrical assignment isespecially simple since the first model plane 2 and the other modelplanes 5 are essentially congruent.

In the overall block diagram 7 shown in FIG. 4, which has been preparedwith a preferred modeling means, the corresponding vertical datatransfer means 8, 9, are not assigned to one another by concurrentgeometrical positions, but rather by concurrent identifications 10. Inthe embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the vertical data transfer means 8 aacting as a data source and the corresponding data transfer means 9 aacting as the data sink are assigned to one another by theidentification 10 using the symbol “A” and accordingly, thecorresponding vertical data transfer means 8 a and 9 b via theidentification 10 using the symbol “B”.

FIG. 4 shows that, when using concurrent symbolic identifications 10 forthe corresponding vertical data transfer means 8, 9, concurrentgeometrical positions in the model planes 2, 5 can be eliminated. In apreferred embodiment which is not shown here, the two indicatedassignment possibilities of corresponding vertical data transfer means8, 9—therefore by concurrent geometrical positions or identifications10—are used in combination.

In FIGS. 2 & 4 to 6, the vertical data transfer means 8, 9, are alwaysmade as vertical data transfer blocks 8, 9; this is especiallyadvantageous for the detectability of the data flow. However, as theembodiment in FIG. 3 shows, the vertical data transfer means 8, 9, canalso be made as open-ending or beginning signal lines 4.

The modeling means supports the use of vertical data transfer means 8,9, with respect to different applications. The block diagrams preparedwith different embodiments of the computer-aided modeling means in FIGS.2 & 4 to 6 each show vertical data transfer means 8, 9, made as circularblocks. In all these cases, the data sent or received by the verticaldata transfer means 8, 9, acting as a data source or data sink, can besupplied or picked up via an interface 11 a, 11 b (FIG. 2). The verticaldata transfer means 8, 9, used in this way, thus equally represent athrough station for the transferred data.

However, the vertical data transfer means 8, 9, supported by theembodiments of the modeling means used here, can also be used in such away that the vertical data transfer means 9, which are acting as thedata sink, are parameterized only with the received data and withoutnecessarily making them available for further use in the model plane,for example, via a block output. This is an exceptionally importantpossibility for configuring a vertical data transfer means which is madeavailable by the modeling means and is explained in further detail belowusing the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows an overall block diagram 7 which has been prepared with apreferred computer-aided modeling means which allows modeling of severaloperating modes by several model planes 12, 13, 14. The operatingmode-model plane 12 is used for modeling of the initialization-operatingmode, the operating mode-model planes 13 a, 13 b are used for modelingof the run time behavior and the operating mode-model plane 14 is usedfor modeling of the termination behavior.

The first block diagram 1 in the first model plane 2 and the other blockdiagram 6 in the other model plane 5 represent modeling of the run timebehavior in the run time model planes 13 a, 13 b. The signal flowbetween the parts of the block diagram which are distributed among thefirst model plane 2, 13 a and the other model plane 5, 13 b is producedby the vertical data transfer means 8, 9.

To support the concept of modeling of different operating modes in theoperating mode-model planes 12, 13, 14, the preferred modeling meansprovides blocks 3 comprising operating mode-partial blocks 15, 16, 17which correspond to the operating modes at the same time. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the modeling means automaticallyassigns the operating mode-partial blocks 15, 16, 17 to thecorresponding operating mode-partial planes 12, 13, 14 when using theblocks 3.

The operating mode-partial blocks 15, 16, 17 are formed by the modelingmeans as vertical data transfer means 8, 9, therefore are provided withthe ability to receive data from other model planes 2, 5 of the sameabstraction stage from the corresponding operating mode-partial blocks15 a-15 c, 17 a-17 c which are likewise made as vertical data transfermeans 8, 9, and to send data to the corresponding operating mode-partialblocks 16 a-16 c which are likewise made as vertical data transfer means8, 9.

In FIG. 5, the initialization model plane 12 is used for modeling of thebehavior of the overall block diagram 7 at the start of simulation or atthe start of the run time. The termination model plane 14 is used tomodel the termination behavior of the overall block diagram 7, thereforethe behavior at the end of the run time of the simulation carried outbased on the overall block diagram 7 using the modeling means.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows that, in the two complementary run time modelplanes 13 a, 13 b, there are operating mode-partial blocks 16 a, 16 b,16 c which describe the run time behavior. The corresponding otheroperating mode-partial blocks 15 a, 17 a, which are located in theinitialization model plane 12 and the termination model plane 14, belongto the run time partial block 16 a. The run time partial block 16 a, inthis case, is a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller, butit can quite generally have any functionality. The operatingmode-partial blocks 15 a, 16 a, and 17 a are also executed as verticaldata transfer means 8 c, 9 c. This means that the parameter values givenin the initialization partial block 15 a and the termination partialblock 17 a can be transmitted from the initialization model plane 12 andthe termination model plane 14 into the run time model plane 13 a to thevertical data transfer block 16 a, 9 c which acts as a data sink andwhich is located there.

It is established, for example, by the initialization partial block 15 awhich initial value the integrator in the PID controller 16 a has and itis indicated in the termination partial block 17 a which initial valuethe PID controller 16 a is to have at the end of the run time. In thisembodiment, the corresponding parameters are input in the operatingmode-partial blocks 15 a, 17 a via dialog windows which can be activatedby the known “double clicking” of the operating mode-partial blocks 15a, 17 a; but, this is not shown in particular.

The run time partial block 16 c which is located in the run time modelplane 13 b is a block 3 which describes a D/A converter. As is in theprevious example, the run time partial block 16 c is parameterized bythe corresponding operating mode-partial blocks 15 c in theinitialization model plane 12 and the termination model plane 14. Theblocks 15 c, 16 c and 17 c are also made as corresponding vertical datatransfer blocks 8 d, 9 d. In contrast to the previous example, parameterinput into the vertical data transfer blocks 15 c, 17 c, which act as adata source, does not take place via a dialog, but via other blockswhich feed the operating mode-partial blocks 15 c, 17 c.

The overall block diagram 7 prepared with the known modeling that isshown in FIG. 1 comprises a block 3 which is made as a sub-block diagramblock 18. The sub-block diagram block 18 represents a sub-block diagram19 which is located in a sub-block diagram model plane 20. It isimportant here that the first model plane 2 and the sub-block diagrammodel plane 20 do not belong to the same abstraction stage, but that thesub-block diagram model plane 20 belongs to a lower abstraction stagethan that of the first model plane 2. In practical terms, this meansthat the sub-block diagram 19 contained in the sub-block diagram modelplane 20 is only a different representation—specifically one at a lowerabstraction stage—of the sub-block diagram block 18 in the first modelplane 2; the sub-block diagram 19 consequently implements the samefunctionality as the sub-block diagram block 18, only imparting a moredetailed way of looking at the question of how the functionality of thesub-block diagram block 18 is implemented using modeling techniques.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of the first model plane 2 and of theother model planes 5 which differ from FIGS. 2 to 5, the representationbeing perspective. This special manner of representation in FIG. 6supports the idea that, within a model plane, “horizontal” data transfermeans 4 provide for data exchange between blocks 3, conversely verticaldata transfer means 8, 9 provide for data exchange between model planes2, 5, which are located on top of and underneath one another. However,the computer-aided modeling means allows any representations of thefirst and other model planes 2, 5. Thus, also representations, as shownin FIGS. 2 to 5, which are not bound to the idea of horizontal andvertical data exchange.

FIG. 6 shows how the method of the sub-block diagram 19, known from theprior art, is implemented with one preferred embodiment of a modelingmeans of the invention. On the left side of FIG. 6, first of all, anoverall block diagram 7 is shown which comprises a first model plane 2and two other model planes 5, one of the other model planes 5—like thefirst model plane—being made as the run time model plane 13 and thesecond, other model plane 2 as the initialization model plane 12.

The concept of modeling which is enabled by the modeling means is knownin principle from FIG. 5 in a two-dimensional representation. The block3 which is placed in the first model plane 2 and the first run timemodel plane 13 a is made as a sub-block diagram block 18. This sub-blockdiagram block 18 is represented in a lower abstraction stage by asub-block diagram 19 which is represented on at least two, in thisexample three, sub-block diagram model planes 20 a-20 c which aredifferent from the model planes 2, 5 of the overall block diagram 7.Here, the sub-block diagram model planes 20 a-20 c belong to the same,but lower, abstraction stage than the first abstraction stage. Toexchange data between the different sub-block diagram model planes 20a-20 c, in turn, the corresponding vertical data transfer means 8, 9 aremade available by the modeling means for arrangement in the modelplanes.

The computer-aided modeling means allows, especially, an integratedrepresentation of a choice of model planes from the first model plane 2and the other model planes 5, so that a complete survey of theinteraction of the components of the overall block diagram 7, which aredistributed among different model planes 2, 5, can be obtained. In onepreferred embodiment of a computer-aided modeling means which, however,is not shown here, an integrated representation is achieved bysuperposing the block diagrams selected from the block diagrams 1, 6 ontop of one another. In one preferred embodiment, the computer-aidedmodeling means automatically enables only noncontradictory selection ofmodel planes from the first model plane 2 and the other model planes 5to be made.

The block diagrams 1, 6, 7 which were produced in FIGS. 2 to 6 bypreferred embodiments of a modeling means equally describe embodimentsof a corresponding process for computer-aided, block-based modeling forpreparation of block diagrams, the process under consideration beingcharacterized by process features which correspond to the describedfeatures of the modeling means. Therefore, a separate description of theclaimed process using FIGS. 1 to 6 is unnecessary and has been omitted.

1. Process for computer-aided, block-based modeling, comprising thesteps of: preparing a first block diagram in a first model plane whichrelates to a first abstraction stage, the first block diagram having atleast two blocks which are connected to one another by horizontal datatransfer means for horizontal exchanging of data therebetween, preparingat least a second model plane which relates to said first abstractionstage, which is separated from the first model plane and which has atleast one other block diagram, forming an overall block diagram from thefirst block diagram of the first model plane and the other block diagramof at least the second model plane, and connecting the first model planeand at least said second model plane by corresponding vertical datatransfer means for vertical exchange of data therebetween.
 2. Process asclaimed in claim 1, comprising the further step of using the verticaldata transfer means as at least one of a data source and a data sinkwith respect to data exchange between different model planes so that thedata sent from a data transfer means acting as a data source arereceived in a corresponding data transfer means acting as the data sinkand are kept in readiness for further processing.
 3. Process as claimedin claim 2, comprising the further step of using the data that isreceived by vertical data transfer means acting as a data sink forinternal parameterization of the vertical data transfer means acting asa data sink.
 4. Process as claimed in claim 1, comprising the furtherstep of making the first model plane and the other model planesavailable in such a way that they are essentially congruent and whereincorresponding vertical data transfer means which are located ondifferent model planes are automatically assigned to one another byconcurrent geometrical positions.
 5. Process as claimed in claim 1,comprising the further step of assigning the corresponding vertical datatransfer means located in the first model plane and the other modelplanes to one another by concurrent identifications.
 6. Process asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical data transfer means are atleast one of open-ending or beginning signal lines or vertical datatransfer blocks.
 7. Process as claimed in claim 1, comprising thefurther step of making data transferred by the vertical data transfermeans available via an interface.
 8. Process as claimed in claim 1,wherein several operating mode-model planes are used for modeling ofseveral operating modes.
 9. Process as claimed in claim 8, comprisingthe further steps of supporting at least one of the operating modes ofinitialization, run time and termination, and separately modelingcorresponding parts of the overall block diagram in at least one of atleast one initialization model plane, at least one run time model planeand at least one termination model plane.
 10. Process as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the supporting step is performed using the blocks tosupport different operating modes by making available operatingmode-partial blocks which correspond to the operating modes and whichare assigned to the operating mode-model planes when being used. 11.Process as claimed in claim 10, wherein the operating mode-partialblocks are made available by the vertical data transfer means. 12.Process as claimed in claims 10, wherein blocks which support one of theoperating modes of initialization, run time and termination, comprise atleast one corresponding initialization partial block, a run time partialblock and a termination partial block.
 13. Process as claimed in claim1, wherein in at least one of the model planes of the overall blockdiagram there is a sub-block diagram block, the sub-block diagramrepresented by a sub-block diagram block being represented on at leasttwo sub-block diagram model planes which are different from the modelplanes of the overall block diagram, sub-block diagram model planesbelonging to the same but a lower abstraction stage than the firstabstraction stage and wherein corresponding vertical data transfer meansare located in the sub-block diagram model planes for vertical exchangeof data.
 14. Process as claimed in claim 1, comprising the further stepof displaying any noncontradictory choice of model planes from the firstmodel plane and the other model planes in an integrated representation.15. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein any noncontradictory choiceof model planes from the first model plane and the other model planes isat least one of simulated and code-generated.
 16. Modeling means forpreparation of a first block diagram in a first model plane relating toa first abstraction stage, comprising: at least two blocks which areplaceable in a first model plane, horizontal data transfer meansconnecting said blocks for horizontal exchange of data therebetween, atleast one other block diagram which is arrangeable on at least one othermodel plane which relates to the first abstraction stage and which isseparated from the first model plane, so that a first block diagram ofthe first model plane and the at least one other block diagram of theother model plane form an overall block diagram, and correspondingvertical data transfer means which are arrangeable on a selection of atleast two model planes from the first model plane and other model planesfor producing a vertical exchange of data between the model planesselected.
 17. Modeling means as claimed in claim 16, wherein thevertical data transfer means are adapted to act as at least one of datasources for sending of data to another of the vertical data transfermeans and as data sinks for receiving data sent from another of thevertical data transfer means and for keeping the received data inreadiness for further processing.
 18. Modeling means as claimed in claim17, further comprising an interface for at least one of supplying datato be sent and reading data to be received by the vertical data transfermeans which act as a data source and by the vertical data transfer meanswhich act as data sink, respectively.
 19. Modeling means as claimed inclaim 17, wherein the vertical data transfer means acting as a data sinkare parameterizable with data received.
 20. Modeling means as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the first model plane and the other model planes areessentially congruent, and wherein corresponding vertical data transfermeans which are located on different model planes are automaticallyassignable to one another by concurrent geometrical positions. 21.Modeling means as claimed in claim 16, wherein corresponding verticaldata transfer means located in the first model plane and the other modelplanes are assignable to one another by concurrent identifications. 22.Modeling means as claimed in claim 16, wherein the vertical datatransfer means comprise at least one of vertical data transfer blocksand open-ending or beginning signal lines.
 23. Modeling means as claimedin claim 16, wherein several operating mode-model planes are providedfor modeling of several operating modes.
 24. Modeling means as claimedin claim 23, wherein at least one of the operating modes is one ofinitialization, run time and termination operating modes, and whereincorresponding parts of the overall block diagram are adapted to beseparately modeled in a corresponding at least one of an initializationmodel plane, run time model plane and termination model plane. 25.Modeling means as claimed in claim 23, wherein the operating modes aresupported by blocks which comprise operating mode-partial blocks thatcorrespond to the operating modes and which are assignable to theoperating mode-model planes of the supported operating modes when beingused.
 26. Modeling means as claimed in claim 25, wherein the operatingmode-partial blocks comprise a vertical data transfer means. 27.Modeling means as claimed in one of claims 25, wherein blocks whichsupport the at least one of the operating modes comprise at least onecorresponding initialization partial block, a run time partial block anda termination partial block.
 28. Modeling means as claimed in claim 16,wherein a sub-block diagram block is adapted to be provided in at leastone of the model planes of the overall block diagram, the sub-blockdiagram being representable by a sub-block diagram block is arranged onat least two sub-block diagram model planes which are different from themodel planes of the overall block diagram, the sub-block diagram modelplanes belonging to the same but a lower abstraction stage than thefirst abstraction stage, and wherein corresponding vertical datatransfer means are adapted to be located on the sub-block diagram modelplanes for vertically exchanging data.
 29. Modeling means as claimed inclaim 16, wherein any noncontradictory choice of model planes from thefirst model plane and the other model planes is adapted to be displayedin an integrated representation.
 30. Modeling means as claimed in claim16, wherein any noncontradictory choice of model planes from the firstmodel plane and the other model planes is adapted to be at least one ofsimulated and code-generated.